Ekweremadu: Why I didn’t leave PDP

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now a party to contend with.

Speaking during a programme on Urban 94.5 FM Radio, Enugu, the senator said working to ensure that the country enjoy a balanced democracy devoid of a one-party system was what informed his decision to remain in the PDP during its trying times.

The deputy senate president said the beauty of any democracy “is stiff competition and vibrant opposition.”

“If you recall my statement in April 2015 after we lost the presidential election, I made it clear that in the PDP we stand. I didn’t nurse any illusion that it would be a smooth ride, but I was determined to pay the price,” he said according to a statement issued by Uche Anichukwu, media aide of Ekweremadu.

“For me, we have paid a lot of price in PDP. I have committed so much of my time to making sure that PDP is what it is today. I am proud to see the product of those efforts manifest.

“Today, the PDP is a party to contend with.

“You couldn’t say the same thing about the party in 2016, for instance. Then, the party was in shambles. We were able to put things together. Together with our friends, colleagues, our governors and some other people, who stayed behind, we were able to rebuild the PDP.”

Ekweremadu said although it would be a close contest between his party and the All Progressives Congress (APC), “the PDP will win.”

“So, when you watch the rallies, you say oh, this is a huge crowd for APC in Adamawa or that was a huge PDP crowd in Katsina, the home of the president. That is an interesting thing and that is exactly what we worked for and we are able to see Nigerians participating,” he said.

“So, I am happy when I see this close contest and by the grace of God, PDP will win.”